Adriana's POV
Present
It's been a month since the incident with Viktor. I don't want to speak too soon but I think great gramps killed him. I also haven't seen much of Roman since then. I just got home from lab and I'm exhausted. Who thought a three hour class was a good idea? It's still early in the day so I'm the only one home.
"Hi Adriana."
Or so I thought
"Dad isn't home so we don't have to talk to each other."
"I know and you don't have to talk to me. I just noticed how tired you look when you come home on Friday's so I bought you Starbucks and made you lunch. I'll go now." She fumbled over her words
"I had Starbucks on my way home so I can't or else dad will have a conniption. I recognize and appreciate the gesture. Don't you have class tonight? Maybe you should drink it instead."
"Is it good I've never had this drink before."
"Only one way to find out." I grinned
She brought the cup to her mouth and took a sip of my modified pink drink
"It's really sweet."
"You don't like sweet things?"
She shook her head
"No way! What did you do in life to get stuck with three step kids with a sweet tooth?" She just laughed
This is the most I've spoken to Mabel since she moved in with us. I've been pretty hostile towards her but she's still really nice which just pisses me off more.
"If you want to drink this I won't tell Aleksandr so he'll never know."
"Dad always finds out." I corrected her
"Then I guess we'll have to dump it."
"Well when you put it like that then I have to drink it." I grabbed the cup
"So it's settled."
"What did you make for lunch?"
"I remember you saying how you've always wanted to try tomato soup so I made you some from scratch and I've been waiting for you to come home so I can make you a grilled cheese."
"Really? That's really nice of you."
"You skip a lot of meals so I figured I'd give this a shot." She explained with me kind smile
"Thank you." I dropped my bag on the floor and sat up on the stool of the kitchen island
Her face lit up and she went over to the stove to start making my grilled cheese. I was surprised to see her grabbing red wine and onions. I watched as she worked her magic on the stove top. She crusted the outside of the grilled cheese with shredded parmesan. Once she finished my sandwich she went over to the pot on the second stove to pour me some soup in a bowl. She finally came over and served me my lunch.
"Dude this looks so good. How did you know I liked onions on my grilled cheese?"
"I heard the boys teasing you about it so I figured you'd like a French onion grilled cheese with your tomato soup."
"Thank you."
I dipped the sandwich and took a big bite of it.
"Holy fuck! That's good."
"I'm glad you like it. I can make you another sandwich if you're still hungry when you're done."
I nodded and continued to stuff my face. I was done eating in record time and actually asked for a second serving which she was kind enough to make.
Later
"I didn't know I could eat this much."
"I'm glad you liked it so much." She smiled
I had four servings and now I feel like I'm gonna explode
"I was scared when I didn't hear any screaming. I didn't think you two could be in the same room this calmly." Dad commented as he put his keys on the hook
"I'm not always a bitch to her!"
He just deadpanned
"She made me food so now I don't hate her."
"That's all it took?"
"What? You want me to play hard to get?" I challenged
"This attitude of yours is getting very out of hand JJ." He flicked my nose
"I'm sorry I just meant that after getting the chance to relax from training I can look at things more calmly."
"What did training have to do with it?"
"I had to spend all my free time training with the artifacts and she got to spend time with you. Now that I have free time I don't feel like I'm constantly competing with her."
"JJ I'm sorry I made you feel that way."
"It's fine. I understand why you did it."
"You're so mature." He pinched my cheeks
"Guess what dad?"
"What?"
"I ate four times just now."
He looked at Mabel to see if I was telling the truth
"It's true. She was practically licking the plate."
"Way to go JJ! I'm so proud of you." He kissed my forehead
"I knew you would be. You should also give Mabel credit. She's the one who created today's menu around what I mentioned in passing."
"I'll be sure to reward her."
"Ew say something gross like that again and I'll be pressing assault charges." I scrunched up my face in disgust
"You're dramatic." He rolled his eyes
"I have a photo shoot soon so I have to shower and head out."
"I have to meet with someone so I might not be responsive. Call Dima, Sergei, or Adriana if you can't get ahold of me."
"I eat her food once and now I'm an emergency contact?"
"Be quiet."
"Don't worry you've always been on my list but I know not to call." She reassured me
"Just because I don't like you doesn't mean I'll leave you in harms way. If you ever find yourself in danger and they haven't answered you can call me." I told her
"She'd probably believe it if you didn't roll your eyes."
"I'm taking a nap before cheer. Goodbye"
•_•
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After Their Story Began
Teen FictionA sequel to the What if spin-off. This book will take place three years after the first part. Cannot be read as a stand-alone!
